The Panamanian Warrior

Jorge Rowe, a determined leader at center-back, narrates his unforgettable journey at Marcet and arrival at Sporting de Gijón.

Jorge Rowe epitomizes dedication, courage, and passion for football. As a center-back, he defines himself as a player who is “strong in marking, fast, with good aerial ability, and leadership on and off the pitch.” These qualities led him to be team captain for two consecutive years at Marcet Academy, where his teammates affectionately nicknamed him “El Capi” (The Captain).

His path to Marcet began in Panama at a young age, where football became his passion at age 10. After excelling in school tournaments and local clubs, Jorge sought new horizons at 15. After extensive research, he discovered Marcet Academy in Barcelona.

“After some research by my parents, I decided to participate in the Checking Program for a month,” Jorge recalls. After finishing, I went to León, Mexico, to continue training at another high-performance academy. After being there for a few weeks, I received the news of the Marcet scholarship. At first, I didn’t believe it; we thought it was a joke until my parents verified the information. I was overjoyed.”

The pandemic delayed his arrival, but in October 2020, Jorge finally joined Marcet as a first-year youth player, beginning three unforgettable years. “I remember participating in several major tournaments in Spain, such as the Villarreal Cup, Oviedo Cup, and MADCUP, where I faced teams of the caliber of River Plate from Argentina, Villarreal, Huesca, Zaragoza, and Alavés. I made excellent friends and gained valuable experience.”

At Marcet, Jorge not only evolved as a footballer but also as a person. “I improved completely during that time. I never stopped learning new things daily, both on and off the pitch. Working daily with extraordinary coaches and teammates, to whom I will be grateful for being part of my great experience at Marcet.”

A significant milestone in his career was being called up to the Panama under-20 national team during his second year at Marcet. “It meant everything to me. It’s one of my goals to wear my national team’s jersey proudly. I felt excited and knew one of my dreams was coming true.”
Jorge now dons the colors of Sporting de Gijón in Spain. “I joined Sporting after trials with their reserve team. I’m thrilled to be able to represent the colors of this club with great tradition and one that truly lives football. I recently made my debut and continue striving to become a professional player.”

With unwavering determination, Jorge Rowe aspires to achieve significant accomplishments in the coming years. “My goal is to be better every day and to continue growing as a footballer and person. I want to take steps and actions that bring me closer to my goal, where I see myself playing professional football on the pitch, knowing that all the sacrifices I’ve dedicated to my dream were not in vain. I want my family, who has always supported me, to feel proud of me.”